Kiambu residents have hailed President Uhuru Kenyatta for handing over power to his deputy Mr. William Ruto, before heading for a status conference at the International Criminal Court at The Hague, Netherlands.
Residents from his home county of Kiambu lauded the move, saying it was an exceptional act of patriotism and statesmanship as he proceeds to the ICC to attend to his case, in which he is accused of committing crimes against humanity and other atrocities, during the 2007/2008 post elections violence in Kenya
Speaking to the press at his greengrocery shop, Mr. Mike Mwaura Ruiru said that what the president did was a recommendable action.
He added that by handling over the power to Mr. Ruto, he showed that he had faith in him as his deputy and believed he could deliver in his absence.
“Appointing Ruto as the acting president ensures that there is still order in Kenya while Uhuru is away in The Netherlands,” he said.
According to a secondary school teacher Ms Miriam Ikinya, the president’s decision portrays to the world that he is willing to cooperate with the ICC after his appeal to attend the sessions via video links was denied.
At the same time, Ikinya said that by his decision, the president put Kenyan's interests before his very own, and was ready to carry his own cross as he had promised before he was elected as president of the country.
Kiambu sub-county children officer Ms. Jennifer Wangari hailed Kenyatta for the decision he made, saying he was a wise man who had put the interests of the nation first.
She said her prayer was that the case ends well so as to allow him to concentrate on his executive role of serving Kenyans.